- Attraction: The Coop
- Location: 157 3rd Ave S, South St Paul, MN 55075
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: thecooprestaurant.com
Since 1963, a humble little restaurant tucked into the heart of South St. Paul has been quietly perfecting the art of pressure-fried chicken.
The Coop stands as South St. Paul’s oldest restaurant, having served the community for over 56 years, and what started as a small neighborhood grocery store in the early 1900s has evolved into a beloved local institution where three generations gather to enjoy comfort food done right.
The Hanson family has owned and operated The Coop for 18 years, carrying on a tradition that locals describe as exceptional with food that’s consistently made fresh for every order.
This isn’t your typical fast-food experience—every piece of chicken is pressure-fried to order, ensuring that golden crunch paired with juicy tenderness that keeps customers coming back decade after decade.
The Chicken That Made The Coop Famous
Pressure-Fried Perfection: The star of the show is undoubtedly the pressure-fried chicken that gets cooked fresh for each customer. The technique creates an incredibly crispy golden exterior that maintains its crunch while the meat inside stays remarkably juicy and flavorful throughout your meal.
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Keep Exploring →Half Chicken Dinners: The most popular option features four pieces of chicken (legs and thighs or breasts and wings) served with your choice of potato sides.
The chicken arrives hot and maintains its crispy texture even for delivery orders, which speaks volumes about their cooking technique and quality standards.
Chicken Strip Baskets: Four to five tender white chicken strips come with your choice of dipping sauce and consistently deliver excellent flavor with perfect texture. The strips maintain that same crispy exterior while keeping the chicken inside incredibly moist and satisfying.
Barbecue Ribs: Beyond chicken, The Coop serves up barbecue ribs that have earned their own devoted following. These fall-off-the-bone tender ribs complement the chicken offerings and showcase the kitchen’s versatility with different cooking methods and seasonings.
Coney Island Dogs: These classic chili dogs represent old-school American comfort food at its finest. The Coney dogs have developed a passionate following among regulars who appreciate this nostalgic menu item that tastes exactly like comfort food should.
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Discover MoreBurgers Done Right: The handcrafted burgers earn high marks for quality and customization options. You can modify your sandwich or burger exactly how you want it, and even simple lunch orders consistently exceed expectations with fresh ingredients and proper preparation.
Classic Comfort Food Atmosphere
No-Frills Dining: The Coop operates as a compact restaurant with limited indoor seating and several outdoor tables where most customers pick up their orders.
The interior features chicken-themed decorations and maintains the simple, honest vibe of a neighborhood takeout spot that focuses entirely on food quality over fancy ambiance.
Historic Charm: Prior to becoming a restaurant, this location served as a grocery store dating back to the early 1900s. The building’s history adds character to the dining experience, and customers frequently share memories about both the building and the food they’ve enjoyed here over the years.
Outdoor Seating Option: During pleasant weather, you can enjoy your meal at the outdoor patio tables, which work perfectly for families or small groups who want to dine on-site rather than taking their food home.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Fair Pricing: The pricing represents excellent value for the amount and quality you receive, with complete chicken dinners available for under ten dollars. The portions are generous and the quality justifies every dollar spent, making it a superior choice compared to chain alternatives.
Order Ahead Strategy: While the fresh-cooked approach means superior quality, it also requires patience for preparation times.
Experienced customers call ahead to avoid the 30-45 minute wait during busy periods. Placing your order in advance at (651) 455-7566 is highly recommended, especially for larger orders.
Takeout-Focused Experience: This operates primarily as a takeout establishment with limited seating, so plan your visit accordingly. There’s convenient parking right by the front door for quick pickup, making it perfect for grabbing dinner on your way home from work.
Family-Friendly Pricing: The lunch specials and combo deals make it affordable for families to enjoy restaurant-quality food, while the preparation methods satisfy adults who remember when fried chicken was considered a special treat rather than generic fast food.
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Discover MoreCatering Available: The Coop offers catering services at competitive prices with weddings and corporate events as their specialty areas.
This makes them an excellent option for larger gatherings where you want restaurant-quality food without the high costs typically associated with event catering.
The Coop
📍 157 3rd Ave S, South St Paul, MN 55075
